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When the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, there's nothing cozier than a mug of warm apple cider. Comparing the difference between apple cider and apple juice, cider is pressed from fresh apples and it's unfiltered, unsweetened, and delicious when served hot or cold! You can add a splash of booze to make a fall cocktail or simply use the drink as an ingredient in one of these apple cider recipes. Yes, it's more than just a comforting beverage—apple cider is also the key to making those apple cider doughnuts you know and love from your favorite apple orchard, and it can even be used to make
apple cakes, caramel apple cookies, and fall cupcakes with an apple cider frosting.
These apple cider recipes also include savory dishes as well. Think: fall dinner recipes, like rosemary apple cider chicken and roast turkey breast with spiced apple cider glaze. Of course, it wouldn't be a cider lineup without a few apple cider cocktails on the list. Here, you'll find Ree Drummond's classic mulled cider, an apple cider mimosa and even an apple cider milkshake (it doubles as an apple dessert)! If there's one thing these cider recipes all have in common, it's that they're sure to make you feel warm and cozy!
Baked Apples
Apple cider plays a key role in this comforting dessert. It creates steam to help the apples cook evenly and it reduces into a sweet, syrupy glaze that makes the whole dish sing.
Get the Baked Apples recipe.
Apple Cider Doughnuts
These warm and cozy doughnuts will bring back memories of picking apples as a kid. They were always the best part of the experience! This recipe can be baked or fried—either way, they're a delicious treat.
Get the Apple Cider Doughnuts recipe.
Apple Cider Sangria
Who says sangria is just for summer?! This recipe proves that apple cider, apple brandy and dry white wine can make for fun fall entertaining, too.
Get the Apple Cider Sangria recipe.
Apple Caramel Cookies
These cookies wouldn't be the same without the apple cider frosting drizzled over the top. They look impressive and they're sure to be a hit at your next school bake sale!
Get the Caramel Apple Cookies recipe.
Mulled Apple Cider
Ree likes to make her own homemade cider by juicing the apple herself. "It gives the cider a nice pulpy quality," she says. But you can also use store-bought cider if you’re in a pinch.
Get Ree's Mulled Apple Cider recipe.
Caramel Apple Cupcakes with Apple Cider Frosting
Both applesauce and apple cider make an appearance in these cute fall cupcakes. The applesauce is used in the batter while the cider is added to the whipped frosting.
Get Ree's Caramel Apple Cupcakes with Apple Cider Frosting recipe.
Homemade Applesauce
Along with fresh apples, you'll need apple cider (or juice) to make homemade applesauce. We like adding brown sugar and cinnamon, too, but you can always mix in nutmeg, maple syrup or allspice.
Get Ree's Homemade Applesauce recipe.
Mulled Cider with Bourbon
Bourbon is known for having notes of butterscotch and caramel so it's the perfect alcoholic addition to a warm and cozy mug of cider. Add cinnamon sticks and orange peel for even more fall flavor.
Get Ree's Mulled Cider with Bourbon recipe.
Apple Cider Syrup
Sweet, sticky and loaded with apple cider flavor—this syrup is perfect for pouring over your favorite pancake recipes, waffles or anything you like to use syrup on! Don't be shy with it!
Get the Apple Cider Syrup recipe.
Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken
These crisp chicken thighs are nestled in a savory apple cider sauce with tender fresh apples that add a hint of sweetness. They'll look beautiful on any fall dinner table.
Get the Rosemary Apple Cider Chicken recipe at Britney Breaks Bread.
Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
A sweet and tangy apple cider vinegar dressing helps to soften the kale and give it a ton of flavor in this hearty harvest salad. You can serve it as a side dish or add chicken on top to make it a meal.
Get the Kale Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette recipe at Jessica Gavin.
Apple Cider Whoopie Pies
These soft-baked, cake-y apple cider cookies get rolled in an easy cinnamon-sugar topping before being filled with a cozy brown sugar filling.
Apple Cider Milkshakes
You only need three ingredients and less than five minutes to make this scrumptious treat. But if you want to step things up, try topping the milkshakes with whipped cream and caramel.
Cider Pumpkin Waffles
The warm, spiced flavors of apple cider, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg all shine through in these seasonal waffles. Try them with a generous smear of salted maple butter.
Apple Cider Donut Cake
This moist, spiced bundt cake is basically like a giant apple cider donut! Share a slice with a friend over a mug of warm apple cider.
Get the Apple Cider Donut Cake recipe.
Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops
Juicy pork shoulder gets meltingly tender when braised in a mixture of apple cider, apple cider vinegar and chicken stock. There's also fennel and fresh apple slices for good measure.
Get the Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops recipe at The Modern Proper.
Apple Cider Mimosa
Instead of orange juice (which is typical in mimosas), this bubbly beverage is made with apple cider and brandy. We especially love the cinnamon sugar around the rim of the glass.
Apple Cider Cake
This cake is rustic and elegant at the same time! The moist and fluffy cake layers are infused with apple cider and the buttercream is made with cinnamon and maple syrup.
Roast Turkey Breast with Spiced Apple Cider Glaze
Whether you're looking for an easy Thanksgiving recipe or a weeknight dinner, this turkey breast is perfect for any occasion of the season.
Get the Roast Turkey Breast with Spiced Apple Cider Glaze recipe at The Noshery.
Instant Pot Apple Cider
Here's an even easier way to make homemade apple cider: Use your Instant Pot! This recipe is great for mocktails with the whole family.
Get the Instant Pot Apple Cider recipe at Julie's Eats and Treats.
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